Wicked Rush

by Kym Grosso

  “You’re serious?” She let go of the edge and trod water.

  “Completely. Once I reach you, it’s yours.”

  “I’m free to go?”

  “Yes.”

  “And a towel?”

  “Yes. Your clothes are inside the kitchen bathroom. Dry.”

  “My car keys?”

  “With your clothes.”

  “What’s the catch?”

  “No catch. But I don’t move forward until I get the truth. If you’re lying to me, it’s a no go.”

  Braelynn’s conscience warred with her sense of self-preservation. With little choice, she agreed to play.

  “Done.”

  “Very well then. First question. Why did you make me leave at the hospital?”

  “I didn’t know you.”

  “No lying. Truth only. That’s how this game works.”

  “It’s the truth. I’d heard of you in circles.” Before she could stop it, the half-truth spilled from her lips. “You give lectures to companies. I have a friend. She’s heard your speech.”

  “Ah, but how do you know me?”

  “That’s a different question from the first,” she challenged with a small smile.

  “A two-fer. Answer it,” he replied, not moving.

  “My friend. She, uh, she’s showed me your picture. She heard your motivation speech. Everest?”

  “Yeah.”

  “She has a bit of a crush on you. That’s how I knew it was you.”

  “Why make me leave?”

  “Because…” Braelynn began, “there are some people in my life right now.”

  “What kinds of people?”

  She averted her gaze as he pressed her but summoned the courage to bring her eyes back to his. “They’re very bad people, Lars. The kind you don’t want to know, okay? These people…they are protective of me. No, no, not protective,” she corrected. “They’re possessive. There’s a difference, you know. You helped me, and I didn’t want you involved with them. I didn’t want them to even see you there.”

  She knew she’d said too much but as she’d confessed, the weight of her burden lifted. That much was true. Secrets seeped into the open like smoke through cracked wood. She no longer felt alone, and her desire to tell him more bloomed. As he moved closer toward her, Braelynn’s heartbeat soared.

  “Who shot at you on the beach?” he asked, his head cocked to the side.

  “Lars.” Braelynn kicked her feet to the side, her fingertips brushing the edge. “I already told you. There are dangerous people in this world.”

  “Why didn’t you identify them?” he pressed.

  “I can’t…” Braelynn stuttered, her eyes drawn to his chest as it disappeared underwater. Closer.

  “You won’t…” Lars interrupted.

  “I can’t.”

  “Goddammit, Brae. Can’t is not an answer.”

  “I don’t even know who they are. I only know they work for my…” Braelynn sucked a breath, almost divulging her relationship to her uncle. They were his associates, and she didn’t know their names or where they lived. “It doesn’t matter. I can’t…I don’t know who they are. That night is a blur.”

  “Why the key? This.” Lars held it up into the sun, the light flickering off its exterior. “Why was this so important? You must have had it in your jacket. When I took it off you, I’m thinking it somehow fell into the sand. Must have gotten covered with sand in the tide. But you had it on you that night? In a pocket?”

  Silence blanketed the air as she contemplated her answer. His penetrating stare held her in place, and she chose truth. “Yes.”

  “Yes,” he repeated.

  The subtle grin that emerged on his lips told her he was pleased with his small victory. She briefly closed her eyes in response, aware that her own desire to make him happy could jeopardize her mission.

  “What does it open?”

  She blinked her eyes, noting he was closer still. Within four feet; she could almost touch him.

  “Brae?” His smile faded when she failed to reply to his questions. “What does it open? What is so important that these people are willing to kill for it?”

  “I need it…” Braelynn took a deep breath and blew it out. The pressure inside her chest tempered the lust. “There’s something I need. Something important.”

  “But you work at Bart-Aqua. Did you take this key from someone? Did you steal it?”

  “Lars…I…things aren’t always black and white. Sometimes people get themselves into situations. Tough situations. Things get complicated.”

  “Did. You. Steal. It?” He emphasized each word, inching toward her.

  “It opens something I borrowed,” she lied.

  Braelynn licked her lips as Lars stared at her as if deciding whether she was a criminal or not. He towered above her, standing in the same section where she’d been forced to tread water.

  “Borrowed? Is it safe to assume that whoever this key belongs to doesn’t know you have it?”

  Braelynn shook her head no, her heart pounding as he held it in front of her face. It wasn’t the key that was the issue, it was the data it kept safe.

  As he closed the distance, she resisted the urge to reach for him. Her body pricked with sexual awareness. She shivered, not bothering to hide her nudity.

  “Whatever is locked up with this key must be pretty important. I don’t suppose you’d like to tell me what you are going to do with it?”

  “It might not work anymore. It’s been compromised.” Braelynn startled as his palm settled next to her fingers. “Corroded by the sea water.”

  “Possibly.” He smiled. “But what does it unlock, my little fox?”

  “Fox?”

  “Ah, yes, beautiful animals…shy, but resourceful. You’re running scared, Brae. With good reason, after being shot. Something, someone made you desperate. These bad people you speak of still surround you.” Lars tossed the key onto the patio, and Braelynn jumped. “But here’s the thing about foxes; they’re very intelligent. Even though they are afraid, or harmed by predators, humans, they, too, can learn to trust.”

  Braelynn went silent as he caged her with his arms, her back against the edge of the pool.

  “You can trust me.” Lars leaned toward her, his lips brushing her ear. “I promised you. I will not hurt you.”

  “Lars.” Her breathy voice carried into the breeze. As his rock-hard cock grazed her inner thigh, she sighed. The cool water did little to assuage the heat between her legs.

  “I can see.” He paused, retreating slightly. Raising her left arm, he inspected the bruises. “Someone else hurt you. I want to know who.”

  Shane. When she’d insisted on leaving the event early, they’d argued. As she’d spun to leave, he’d grabbed her arm, yanking her against him. She’d long suspected his violent nature, but it’d been the first time he’d laid a hand on her. Braelynn had struggled and tore away.

  “I, uh, I got in an argument with someone. It was nothing.”

  “A real man doesn’t leave bruises on a woman.”

  “Please, Lars. I’m okay.”

  “Let me help you, Brae. Whatever you’re into, it’s far more dangerous than the shit I do.”

  “I don’t want you to get hurt. I can’t…” Emotion rushed through her, moisture brimming from her eyelashes. For so long she’d been alone and for the first time, someone was offering her a lifeline. Yet she knew if she took it, it’d be likely she’d put him in danger as well.

  “You see, there’s that word again…can’t. Life is about choices.” Lars released her arm, cupping her cheek. He brushed a tear across her face with his thumb, leaning toward her.

  “Some choices can’t be undone,” she whispered.

  “Let me help you.”

  “I want to…” Braelynn lost her words, desperately yearning to open up to him. She flattened her fingers on his chest, the heat of his skin searing her palms.

  Her eyes fell to his lips and darted back up to meet
his gaze. Lars commanded her attention, and she thought of the empty nights she had touched herself, fantasizing about him, yet never ever relieving the craving that had escalated inside her. The man she’d dreamed of now held her in his arms, his thumb gently brushing over her lower lip. She gasped as his arm slipped around her waist, the slippery skin of her stomach grazing his muscular abdomen.

  The long pregnant pause morphed to passion as his lips took hers. Braelynn lifted her fingers from the edge, reaching her arms around his neck. She abandoned what she’d held onto as reality, allowing herself a moment of pleasure as her body came alive under his touch. She wound her legs around his waist as his palms slid under her bottom, yanking her to him. Braelynn shoved the errant logic away that screamed why she didn’t deserve Lars. His tongue danced with hers, and she lost herself in the kiss she’d always imagined. Sweeter than honey, spicy and hot, his mouth wove a spell, binding her to him.

  His grip teased the cleft of her ass escalating her hunger. Fingers traced over her delicate skin, edging between her legs, yet never entering her.

  “Lars,” she cried into his lips.

  “You want me in you, my little fox? Right here?” he asked, his pinky brushing over her mound.

  “No,” she breathed, ignoring his question. As he removed a hand from her bottom, she moaned in protest.

  His fist wrapped into her hair, the tight grip taking her by surprise. The sweet sting on her scalp reminded her he was in control. Her lips parted, a gasp escaping from them.

  “You can lie to me about your past, Brae. But not the present.”

  “I…I…” she stuttered, unable to complete her thoughts as his fingers grazed through her labia and over her clitoris.

  “Do you want this?” he demanded.

  Her hips tilted toward him, seeking contact to relieve the growing ache. Her smooth pussy slipped against his wet abs, increasing her frustration.

  “Lars, please,” she begged, but her plea resulted in him tightening his grip on her locks.

  “Say it,” he growled.

  “Oh God…I…fuck…Lars, please just…”

  “Do you want my fingers inside you, sweetheart?”

  Braelynn’s eyes flared as he demanded an answer. Her breasts jutted out of the water as he leaned her backward. She watched helplessly as his mouth dipped to her breast. His tongue darted out, its tip lashing her stiff nipple.

  Unable to take a second more of his delicious torture, she caved. “Yes, yes I want it.”

  “Say it.” He gave a sly smile as he wrapped his lips around her peak.

  “I said it,” she panted. Braelynn’s pussy contracted, her pelvis rocking up against his torso. A firm stroke over her swollen pearl caused her to cry aloud.

  Releasing her tip, he teased it with his lips, locking his eyes on hers. “No, no, no. This is an exercise in the truth. Say it.”

  Jesus, he’s testing me. Anger flared in conjunction with the heat piling through her whole body.

  “I want you inside me. Now. Oh God, yes,” she screamed as he rewarded her candor. Her pussy tightened as he drove two thick fingers into her core.

  “That’s a girl,” Lars praised her.

  Braelynn saw stars as he rocked in and out of her tight length, his thumb flicking over her sensitive nub. Threading her fingers through his hair, she clasped the back of his head. She splintered apart at his touch and embraced the sweet ecstasy that rippled throughout her whole body. Releasing his head, her hand searched, reaching between their bodies. Her fingers brushed over the head of his cock, but a firm grip to her wrist prevented her from taking him in her hand.

  “I need you inside me,” she heard herself beg. As her pleading eyes caught the rejection in his, her stomach dropped.

  “Not now, sweetheart. Not like this.”

  “What?” she asked with a confused sigh. Although she’d come, another orgasm lingered as he withdrew his fingers. “Please. Lars.”

  “Not like this,” Lars repeated. He pressed his closed lips to hers and pulled away.

  She startled as both his hands went to her waist, lifting her clear out of the water onto the ledge. With her legs spread open to him, she shivered as his fingertips trailed down through her crease to her inner thighs.

  “You’re going to learn that you can trust me. But Dr. Rollins, there will be no secrets between us when I fuck you.” Lars backed away into the water, his hands falling to his sides. “And be assured, that beautiful pussy of yours is going to be mine.”

  “Lars,” she said breathlessly, watching him swim across the pool to the stairs.

  “No secrets,” he said, climbing the steps.

  Braelynn’s heart pounded in her chest as he rose from the water, his firm buttocks coming into view. Holy hell. Breathe, Braelynn, breathe. She’d expected him to turn, to reveal himself to her but instead he reached for a towel, quickly wrapping it around his waist. Rendered paralyzed by his touch, his words, she sat still, waiting for him to come to her.

  “Your clothes. I’ll leave them in the guest bedroom. It’s on the left. Change,” he told her with a devious smile. “I’ll be down in a few minutes and I’ll drop you off at your car.”

  “How can you just leave?” Shock rolled through Braelynn as she realized he wasn’t returning. “Why?”

  “One way or another, you’re going to tell me the truth. And until then, you’ll have to wait.” He gave a wink, turned and walked toward the house.

  “Who the hell do you think you are?” Frustration speared through her. Fucking asshole teased her on purpose. He’d made her come, leaving her desperate for more. She tightened her legs, the ache between them still lingering.

  “No secrets,” he yelled, continuing through the glass doors. “Get dressed.”

  Chapter Nine

  Braelynn stared at her reddened eyes in the mirror. Holding her arms around her waist, she fought the tears that threatened to fall. Lars Elliott shouldn’t matter to her. Before yesterday, he’d been nothing more than a crush. Yet the past twenty-four hours had changed everything. He’d toyed with her, making her want him even more.

  After he’d left her stark naked on the patio, she attempted to reconcile what had happened. She recalled his fingers in her pussy, and a shiver ran through her. She brushed her hand through her hair, remembering the sting to her scalp as he’d pulled on it. Yet, he hadn’t come, wouldn’t even let her touch him. He’d sought to demonstrate control, dominance, and she’d given in to what he’d sought. After it was all said and done, he’d kept his word, had given her the key.

  Braelynn glanced to the clock, shaking her head. It was nearly noon. She slid her feet into her damp sneakers, and cringed, thinking she had little choice but to set forth on her original mission. Yet as she reached for the door handle, she remained determined to get the research, and destroy the remaining files. Once she delivered it all on a silver platter to Garrett and Dean and left San Diego, she’d be free of her uncle forever.

  Gathering her strength, she intrepidly stepped out of the guest room. Her nerves danced, as she was aware she’d have to face Lars. She wanted to hate him for leaving her at the pool, put him out of her thoughts forever. But as she stepped into the kitchen and he came into view, Braelynn’s heart skipped a beat. Her anger dissolved into arousal with one flash of his sexy smile, and she knew the struggle to resist him would be difficult.

  His gaze painted over her body, and she averted her eyes, warmth churning inside her. Desire. Temptation. Deception. The touch of his lips on hers fresh in her mind, Braelynn struggled with reality, knowing she was leaving. Eventually Garrett would tell him everything and she’d disappear. She’d have to find a way to cleanse him from her mind, before he ripped her heart to shreds.

  Braelynn parked her car in the garage, noting that there were no other cars parked on the street. Although the upscale neighborhood was generally safe, she’d become obsessive about her surroundings. From the black van that occasionally drove down her street, to her neighbor, w
ho seemed all too interested in her recent activities, she’d become paranoid.

  She’d been unable to prove it, but suspected that what she’d thought was luck in acquiring a low rent oceanfront condo had actually been arranged by her uncle. Playing along and acquiescing to her uncle’s demands had become the easiest way to infiltrate his business. Though she’d been careful to ensure neither Shane nor her uncle knew her whereabouts, she was concerned they’d grow suspicious.

  Braelynn turned off the engine and yawned, leaning on the steering wheel. It was nearly one in the afternoon, and she considered that she should nap before trying to go back to the lab. But as she ran through her plan in her mind, she decided it would be best to get to the office as soon as possible. If she played her cards right, today would be the last time she walked the halls of Bart-Aqua. She’d retrieve the data, and after the deed was done, she’d drive directly to Emerson Industries. She’d already packed most of her personal belongings in the trunk. Her cat, Benny, would have to wait in the car. A childhood pet, the elderly feline was the only tie she still had with her parents.

  “Benny?” she called as she exited the car and walked into the kitchen entryway.

  Greeted with silence, Braelynn repeated his name and slid open the slider, revealing a spectacular view of the ocean. She breathed in the rush of fresh air, and placed her purse on the counter. As she opened the refrigerator to reach for a bottle of water, the hair stood up on the back of her neck at the sound of mewling. Benny’s muffled cry soon followed, spearing panic straight through her.

  Braelynn sprinted down the hallway, and gasped as Shane and her uncle came into view. Both men were sitting in her living room. Shane propped his feet on her coffee table, his expression grim. Her uncle held her cat tightly yet it made no movement.

  “What the hell are you doing in my house?” she screamed. Braelynn had never lost her temper with them. Always the actress, she’d pasted a smile across her face. A demure and obedient employee, she’d tried to give them no reason to question her actions.